No beard in the Bronx: Wilson won't shave for Yanks

Cashman is looking for relief pitching, but he can cross one free agent off his list

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The beard or the Bronx? Brian Wilson would prefer to keep his signature facial hair, thank you very much.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is in the market to acquire relief pitching, but he learned from agent Dan Lozano on Wednesday that making an offer to Wilson this offseason would just be a waste of time.

"I can rule out Brian Wilson," Cashman said. "That was volunteered to me during our conversations, that the beard stays on."

The Yankees have enforced a strict policy about facial hair since George M. Steinbrenner's control of the club beginning in the 1970s, banning anything but mustaches above the lip.

Wilson's jet-black beard has been a trademark. The hurler even reportedly turned down a $1 million offer to shave this season; that came from a razor company hoping to use the event for a promotion and endorsement.

"We could use bullpen help, but you can cross him off the list," Cashman said. "I was told, 'Don't even bother.'"

Wilson, who turns 32 in March, was 2-1 with a 0.66 ERA in 18 appearances for the Dodgers this past season after returning from Tommy John surgery, plus six more appearances in the postseason.

He has a career ERA of 3.10 in 333 Major League games, 315 of which were with the Giants from 2006-12.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.